Officials at UC Santa Cruz say the campus now projects an $81 million deficit for the 2025-26 fiscal year, slightly higher than the previously estimated $79 million, driven by rising costs, higher-than-expected student aid spending and lower revenue from international students and federal funding.
Today’s Top Story
A significant story with interest across the county
Posted inLatest News
Salmon survival: Betting on the right fish
By studying salmon bones, scientists have uncovered that for thousands of years, Chinook salmon returned to California rivers at a range of ages. Today, habitat loss, overharvesting and conventional hatcheries have narrowed the age diversity of returning fish, a critical factor in efforts to save the species in Santa Cruz County and beyond. They are working with tribal partners to restore that diversity, protecting wild stocks and the rhythms that keep rivers alive.
Posted inHousing & Development
New housing along San Lorenzo finally opens, connected to the river for first time in decades
City leaders and Santa Cruz community members celebrated the grand opening of the RiverRow apartments, located along the San Lorenzo River. The downtown development is unique because it opens onto the river, instead of facing away.
Posted inLatest News
Longtime philanthropist Pat Rebele dies at 96, leaving a legacy of community and arts advocacy
With her late husband, Rowland Rebele, who died in late 2023, Pat Rebele donated tens of millions of dollars to local charities, nonprofits, arts groups and scholarship funds in Santa Cruz County and beyond.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Supervisors see belt-tightening ahead with Santa Cruz County budget deficit projected to hit $23M in ’26-27
Santa Cruz County faces a hefty deficit going into annual budget hearings. County supervisors weighed in Tuesday on what’s most important in the 2026-27 fiscal year as leaders and staff prepare to propose a budget in the coming months.
Posted inLatest News
Fire kills one, damages buildings in Capitola Village on Monday night
A fire tore through a home in Capitola Village on Monday night, killing one person and damaging the building next door that’s home to restaurants Mijo’s Taqueria and Geisha Japanese Restaurant and Tea House.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Most local races set for June primary election; Santa Cruz mayoral filing period ends Wednesday
The candidate field for the June primary is nearly set, now that all filing deadlines for offices up for election have passed (except for the Santa Cruz mayor’s race, which closes on Wednesday). Here’s how it shakes out.
Posted inFood & Drink
As Murray Street Bridge traffic snarls Seabright, Engfer Pizza Works hands out slices to stuck drivers
After months of slumping sales during the Murray Street Bridge closure, Seabright businesses are adjusting to the bridge reopening last week to one-lane, alternating traffic, which quickly created long backups in the neighborhood. Engfer Pizza Works turned the gridlock into a marketing opportunity by handing out free pizza samples to drivers stuck in traffic.
Posted inLatest News
Even the fastest bird on Earth can’t outfly bird flu
Peregrine falcons — long celebrated as one of the greatest wildlife recovery stories in modern history — have seen rapid deaths across the greater San Francisco Bay Area since 2022. Long-term monitoring by the UC Santa Cruz Predatory Bird Research Group suggests bird flu could be the culprit.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Recent UCSC grad hopes to be one of youngest elected to California Senate
A recent UC Santa Cruz graduate, 23-year-old Zennon Ulyate-Crow, has launched a campaign for the California state Senate District 24 seat, hoping to become one of the youngest people elected to the chamber. The former Santa Cruz transportation commissioner and student housing advocate says his campaign is driven by issues facing his generation, including the rising cost of living, housing shortages and government accountability.